This new compact digital camera just released last month. Nothing really outstanding from SD series anyway. I’m an owner of PowerShot SD750. It serves me well, even with some lacknesses.

So, just summarized and a wrapped-up review.

Specs

  • 8 megapixel 1/2.5-inch type CCD sensor
  • 3x optical zoom (38-114mm 35mm equivalent)
  • 4x digital zoom
  • Optical viewfinder
  • 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 pixels
  • ISO sensitivity from 80 to 1,600
  • Shutter speeds from 15 to 1/1,500 seconds
  • Widest aperture from f/2.8 at wide angle to f/4.9 at telephoto
  • Automatic exposure
  • Built-in flash with red-eye reduction and slow synchro options
  • SD/SDHC compatible, with 32MB card included
  • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed computer connection
  • Self-timer with 2 or 10 second delay
  • Powered by a lithium-ion battery

The Canon SD1100 IS Digital ELPH includes an eight megapixel 1/2.5″ CCD imager and a Canon-branded 3x optical zoom lens with image stabilization, which covers a fairly standard range of 38-114mm equivalent. Nothing fancy with the zoom.

Exposure is fully automatic, but the user can tweak it with 2.0EV of exposure compensation and four metering modes to handle difficult lighting, including a mode which ties metering to the camera’s face detection system.

Thirteen scene modes keep the camera approachable for beginners. A long-exposure mode in the Canon SD1100 IS ELPH lets you set exposure times as long as 15 seconds manually, and a 2.5″ LCD display plus an real-image optical zoom viewfinder — rather rare on digicams these days.

The Canon SD1100 IS sports a fairly wide ISO sensitivity range, from 80 to 1600. The PowerShot SD1100 IS is PictBridge compliant, and so is able to print to any printer that supports PictBridge directly, without the need for a computer in the middle. Images are stored on SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards with a not-so-generous 32MB card in the product bundle, and power comes from a proprietary NB-4L lithium-ion rechargeable battery.

Available from March 2008, the Canon SD1100IS Digital ELPH retails for under US$250. Five body colors are available: silver, gold, brown, blue and pink.

Summary

Pros:

  • Optical image stabilization
  • DIGIC III image processor just like the big boys
  • Facial detection for portraits and to confirm those smiles afterwards
  • Small, sleek body design
  • High resolution LCD
  • Good performance figures, especially for a bargain camera
  • Good flash performance at wide angle
  • Auto flash only raises ISO to 200 at manufacturer-specified ranges
  • Adjustable contrast settings
  • Reprogrammable Print/Share button allows for greater customization
  • Good color saturation
  • Good indoor incandescent performance
  • Good low-light performance
  • USB 2.0 Hi Speed connection
  • Good Macro mode performance
  • Images print well up to 13×19 inches at ISO 80 and 100
  • Fast prefocus shutter lag, fast download speed

Cons

  • Flash washes out extreme macro shots
  • Moderate chromatic aberration at wide angle
  • Soft corners at wide angle
  • High contrast in harsh lighting
  • Flash takes just under 10 seconds to recharge after full-power shot
  • Very small MMC card included
  • Optical viewfinder is quite tight
  • Barrel distortion on the high side of average at wide angle